Bore pigs

[semtav]

My VG felts arrived today and I picked up a few more brushes at Red Rock, so as soon as the rubber washers arrive I should be able to start testing them. Probably won't shoot any more BP til I get these working properly.

[CaptnJack]

I bought the Nylon brushes and the felts from Buffalo Arms and bought nylon nuts and the rubber washers from McMaster-Carr 50 to a box. They work like a charm on my 45-70 you can use one or two washers They push hard with two washers though.

[semtav]

I think from my limited testing, these are going to work great.
Now all I need to find are the rubber washers for the 40 cal and I should be set.
Thanks for all the advice.
Brian

bore pig 2.jpg

[BFD]

Brian, I think you are headed in the right direction. Have you tested them (wet)? Looks like you used one on a fouled barrel. If not, do it before you go to the range. There is a chance, however small, that the washer will roll over on that nylon nut and wedge in your rifle's throat.

For .40 cal, you might PM 77Sharps. I think his source is Walmart.

[semtav]

yea, the bottom one was pushed thru after soaking in 10-1 cutting oil. The follower patch was dry so hopefully its getting it. there is a larger flat on the plastic nut I'm not sure you can see in the pics. If it does give problems later, I can fit a plastic or brass washer in front of it.

[semtav]

There is a chance, however small, that the washer will roll over on that nylon nut and wedge in your rifle's throat.

Just thinking out loud, I wonder if the problem with rolled washers would be more prevelant when you use a couple thin washers and not likely with this thicker single washer.
I found the 11 mm washers at walmart, but they are thin so I will need two or three. Thats what got me to thinking I would have more of a chance of the washer rolling with them.

[BFD]

There is a chance, however small, that the washer will roll over on that nylon nut and wedge in your rifle's throat.

Just thinking out loud, I wonder if the problem with rolled washers would be more prevelant when you use a couple thin washers and not likely with this thicker single washer.
I found the 11 mm washers at walmart, but they are thin so I will need two or three. Thats what got me to thinking I would have more of a chance of the washer rolling with them.

That may very well be true. I chose thinner ones to begin with because that's what I could find at Ace Hardware and because I have found that some of the multi-edge windshield wipers work a little better than the conventional ones.

[Kurt]

Why not cut your own washers with the wad punch. MSC has a large supply of rubber sheets of any thickness and composition.

[BFD]

Kurt, if you are really good at making concentric punch holes, then go to it. or machine a punch with concentric holes, but that's beyond some folks - like me. Machining is not my cuppa.

[Kurt]

Brent, NAW, I'm not a machinist just a plumber. Or retired plumber
I used my Cornell press mounted wad punch works just fine making a stack of felt and leather wads, don't have any rubber yet.

[semtav]

It would definitely be something to try if you couldn't find a size to work, but at about $8.00 a hundred and free shipping it's hard to want to.

[rfd]

while i use the BACO wipers for the .45, i'm gonna delve in and attempt to home make .40 pigs for a new rifle. getting proper washers are the nut to crack and after sifting around what's out there i got some coming from macmaster-carr. interesting that all the vendor sold neoprene 7/16" (.438) washers i see listed at graingers or mac-carr have identical dimensions, and all list the resulting thickness and hardness in a diverse range. i wonder if a jig would work to sand neo washers thinner, thus tailoring their flexibilty? another thought is adding a smaller diameter metal washer behind the neo washer, to keep it from folding back?

[AzTBH]

Like Brian (semtav) I use nylon pistol brushes for my .40 Bore Pigs along with the two VG Felt Pads. Specially, Nylon Pistol Brushes, 10 mm/40/41 cal (749-008-585WB):

https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning- ... =749008585

I tried both the rife and pistol brushes. I found the pistol brush length easier to push through the bore than the longer rifle brushes. Plus the shorter brushes fit completely inside the 40-70 SS chamber, so they did not flex like the longer rifle brushes during the initial push into the bore.

For the rear wiper I use a Rubber Grommet, 3/16" I.D., 7/16" O.D., 1/4" Panel Thickness, PK50.

https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAING ... chBar=true

I haven’t tried these in a match yet, so time will tell how they will hold up. However, the flanges of the grommet wiped the bore dry as good as my home-cut Neoprene washers, as proved by chasing the gopher with a dry patch.

Grainger also carries 1/16” Neoprene 12”x12” sheets if you want to cut your own flat washers:

https://www.grainger.com/product/E-JAME ... uery=1MVN6

I also use these Brass Nylon-Insert Locknuts (92092A023), package of 50 instead of a regular nut and Loctite.

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/125/3304

Good Shooting,
Ross

[BFD]

Those grommets are an interesting variation. I hope they continue to work well. I might have to give them a try sometime.

[semtav]

I thought about grommets when I ordered the washers. Might be a good idea. At that price you can't go wrong at least trying them. Got all the brushes coming for the 40 and 45 so should be set by next weekend.